Steve White and Chris Staples established digital house Digaprint in 1996. The business merged with litho printer Carmichaels to become One Digital in 2005.
In April, they will hand over responsibilities to fellow director Steve Poland and Lynn Brazier, a former director at local rival Gemini Print. Brazier, whose expertise lies in sales and account handling, had previously worked at One Digital.
White said: “After 20 years of successful trading it’s time to step aside. Both Chris and myself will still be involved, but we have complete faith and trust in Steve and Lynn.
“Steve has been with us since 1997 and Lynn spent over 11 years contributing to the growth of the company between 2001 and 2012.
“Her return to One Digital makes our decision easier.”
White and Staples ultimately intend to step down, but will remain “very much involved” in the business for the immediate future - White for the next few years and Staples for at least another decade. They will retain ownership.
Brazier, who returned to One Digital last week said: “It’s like coming home. It was a good opportunity and it’s a good time for them to do it as they will still be around for a while, but in the background.
“After over 20 years in the print industry I have more enthusiasm and passion now than ever. Steve and I have different strengths, which makes a perfect combination for a strong team.
“Having worked well together previously for over 11 years I have no doubts about our future at One Digital. The response from customers has been very positive and their support is very much appreciated as we are nothing without them.”
The 25-staff company runs single day shifts at present. However, Brazier said there was a huge capacity opportunity to move to double-day shifts and she and Poland planned to increase the volume of work going though the business to make this reality.
Poland said: “I have been at One Digital for 18 years now and never has there been a more exciting time to be in print. Lynn and myself look forward to taking the company into its next phase of development."
In January last year the £1.4m-turnover company bought and moved to a 604sqm two-floor site in Brighton from a leased property, and invested in a Xerox iGen 150 and a replacement five-colour Heidelberg Speedmaster 74 to augment its Speedmaster 52, black and white Xerox Nuvera, Ricoh Priport HQ9000 duplicator, wide-format printers from Roland, HP and Epson and a raft of finishing kit. The total investment nudged £1.5m.
Staples said quality was important to the company and it continually invests in new kit. A bookletmaker and new laminator are on the shopping list for this year.
